How does a pet microchip work? Photo: Susan Richey-Schmitz What’s the best thing you can do for your cat who might wander off? Microchip. Of course, all dogs should be microchipped, too. But most veterinarians see a lot more missing cats than dogs. We’ve been able to reunite quite a lot of them with their families. Microchipping

Take your cat for a low-stress visit to a feline-only clinic. Photo: mariposavet My friend Barbara brings her kit-and-caboodle to Connecticut Feline Medicine and Surgery. The way she tells it, there are a lot of pluses to going to a feline-only veterinary clinic. First, her cats don’t suddenly find themselves in a place full of

Adopting a pet during your COVID-19 quarantine isn’t a decision to take lightly. Photo: Dgdom If your COVID-19 quarantine is the reason you’re thinking about adopting a new pet, you’re not alone. Lots of people and families have been running to shelters to adopt a pet. They have also been looking online: Petful’s adoption search

Prepare now so your pet makes a successful transition back to life after quarantine. Photo: Pexels Are you and your pet ready for life after quarantine? With most businesses shuttered for weeks because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, most of us have been staying at home more than we ever have in our lives. All

Foxhounds are pack animals and don’t do well if isolated for long periods of time. Photo: ccho 1. Key Characteristics of English Foxhounds The English foxhound is a hunting dog and pack hound whose low-set ears hang near the cheeks. Rounded ears means they’ve been cropped, not a process we recommend, and ear cropping and

Swedish Lapphunds originally herded reindeer. Photo: Darkangels 1. Key Characteristics of Swedish Lapphunds Swedish Lapphunds, a.k.a. Lappies, are medium-sized herding and guarding dogs that are also the national dog of Sweden. Lappies have a dark nose and round, large brown eyes framed by small, wide-set, triangular ears. The high-set tail is carried over the back,

Know the pros and cons of vaccinating your dog or cat. Photo: Skitterphoto Vaccines save lives. They have changed the face of contagious disease like almost no other modern medical discovery. All animals and humans deserve to benefit from the protective power of vaccination when they are at risk for contracting a serious or fatal

Bilious vomiting syndrome is kind of like morning sickness for many middle-aged or senior dogs. Your veterinarian will be able to help if your dog is vomiting yellow bile. Photo: Alexey Matveichev Yellow bile vomit is something experienced by many middle-aged or senior dogs. Usually the dog is otherwise well, with a good appetite and

What’s involved when the veterinarian tells you your pet needs a dental procedure? Photo: robertwitcher At a family reunion recently, my cousin wanted to talk to me, a veterinarian, about her dog’s recent dental. She had just had a “dental” done, and my cousin began to go on and on about the price and how

Coughing in a dog is sometimes tricky to diagnose. Photo: brndnsh Mr. Businessman is standing in front of me, trying to wretch. His dog sits quietly at his feet, looking up in adoration at his businessman making strangulating coughing and gagging sounds. “You see, it’s kind of like this, Doc.” The man gulps and extends

If your cat is scared of the vet, practice at home by leaving the carrier open. Let your cat get used to it. Photo: someToast It’s no wonder your cat is scared of the vet! The truth is, cats are fearful of new people and new environments. This is built into their survival instincts. A

Are female cats more affectionate? Or are male cats more affectionate? Photo: Bev Goodwin We always had cats when I was growing up. Our parents never said no, so my brother and I just kept dragging those cats and kittens back home with us — from our grandparents’ farm, from outdoor flea markets and occasionally from

Getting a cat to be more affectionate starts with keeping them healthy, happy and comfortable. Photo: ibjennyjenny Cats show their affection in different ways from dogs, which is disappointing for some people who were hoping for a cuddly, affectionate kitty. Although some cats are quite affectionate and will happily cuddle up in a warm lap,

When it comes to veterinary telemedicine during COVID-19, make sure you have realistic expectations before placing the call with your vet. Photo: Branislav Nenin Why use veterinary telemedicine right now? Because stay-at-home guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic are very important in your area. Because you feel sick. Because you don’t have an emergency problem with

For many pet care professionals, COVID-19 has been disastrous. Demand for dog walking and pet sitting services dried up overnight. Photo: hedgehog94 The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on just about every profession in the United States, including those of us in the pet care industry. Veterinarians, groomers, trainers and pet sitters

Idexx Laboratories says its COVID-19 test for pets — called the Idexx SARS-CoV-2 RealPCR™ — is now available “for rare cases in consultation with your public health authority.” Photo: Petful I had mixed emotions when I first learned about a COVID-19 test for pets. All sorts of thoughts went through my head, such as: Do